North Carolina’s New Health Plan Unites Medical and Behavioral Services for Foster Care Youth
North Carolina has officially launched a comprehensive health plan aimed at integrating medical and behavioral healthcare services for vulnerable populations in its foster care system. The initiative, known as the Children and Families Specialty Plan, branded as Healthy Blue Care Together, signifies a significant shift in how health services are delivered to children currently in foster care, those who have been adopted from the system, and young adults who have transitioned out.
As of Monday, beneficiaries of this program—estimated at approximately 32,000 children and young adults—will now receive both physical and mental health services under a single program managed in collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. This new approach seeks to alleviate the complexities that previously burdened children, adolescents, and their caregivers, who often had to navigate disjointed systems for healthcare. Traditionally, these individuals managed separate entities for Medicaid services, which addressed medical needs, and local management organizations for behavioral health support.
Lisa Cauley, Human Services Division Director for Child, Family, and Adult Regional Support, underscored the significance of this consolidation, explaining that the prior fragmented system created inconsistencies in healthcare delivery. “Before, you would have two different types of entities to work with,” she remarked, highlighting the challenges caregivers faced in coordinating care.
The Healthy Blue Care Together program aims not only to simplify these processes but also to improve continuity of care by ensuring that medical records are readily accessible to providers. This streamlined approach is critical in addressing and closing existing gaps in care, particularly for children and young adults who often transition through various stages of the foster care system.
Services covered under the new plan include non-emergency medical transportation, pharmacy, outpatient therapy, and much more, providing a holistic model of health care. A key feature of the program is that it assigns care managers to families and caregivers, offering essential support to navigate medical and mental health needs effectively. Cauley pointed out the challenges associated with being a foster or adoptive parent, emphasizing the importance of having a dedicated caregiver to assist in accessing services.
Furthermore, enrollment in the Healthy Blue Care Together program has been automatic for all eligible participants, funded through the existing Medicaid budget. This initiative not only represents an advancement in North Carolina’s healthcare framework but also a commitment to improving the well-being and stability of thousands of children and young adults who have experienced the foster care system. As the state continues to evolve its healthcare offerings, the integration of services promises a more supportive and cohesive experience for the most vulnerable members of its community.
